Legal Internet Marketing Bloghttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com
Published by Legal Internet Marketing | Client Development | Law Firm Marketing | SLS ConsultingThu, 29 Sep 2016 17:58:51 +0000en-UShourly1118504844LegalInternetMarketingBlogComhttps://feedburner.google.comCan You Make Your “Boring” Company Feel Exciting Online?http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/09/can_make_boring_company_exciting_online.html
Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:32:36 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/09/can_make_boring_company_exciting_online.htmlOften, it seems as if the brands that get the most attention for their marketing campaigns are the ones that have an exciting product to sell. This can make many companies feel negative about their own marketing campaigns and the way they will be perceived online because they feel as if their products would be viewed as boring. If you feel like this about your business, do not give in because if you start seeing your product or service as boring, that negativity may start seeping into your marketing campaign.

Besides, think of the brands that often have the most exciting campaigns. Soda, deodorant, and alcohol really aren’t exciting in and of themselves. But those companies have spent enough time honing their image to be exciting so that their products in turn feel exciting.

A Positive Attitude

The excitement present in your online marketing starts within your company. If your workers have no enthusiasm for their services and products, then projecting an air of excitement will be a difficult task for them. Brainstorming ideas of how to maintain positivity and excitement within the office and then implementing them can go a long way. Afterward, hold meetings where your team discusses the image that should be put forward online.
Remember, your company’s branding should be consistent and present in all outlets. Solidify these ideas and create a plan to consistently put new content online. When it comes to the traits of your brand, remember that humor, honesty, and positivity are all attractive features, not just in a person, but also in an online presence.

Energetic Content

Your written content may seem destined for boredom, but that outcome can be changed. Written content on web pages, social media sites, articles, and press releases help to inform followers of your products and services, but they do not have to be dry and uninteresting. Provide your readers with facts and ideas that enlighten them, instead of throwing out the same information they have read countless times before. The process of learning will automatically increase their engagement.

Additionally, keep length in mind. While every type of writing has a different suggested length, make sure to never write too much for your given outlet. An overly-long piece of written content will cause readers to skip to the end or leave the page entirely, resulting in a high bounce rate. Keep the pace up, add headings, shorten paragraphs, and make the reader interested in the ideas that come next.

Eye-Catching Design

The images present on your web pages will be the first thing that visitors and followers see. As such, make sure that the design, color, and branding present is eye-catching and pleasant. This includes web pages, but also the headers used on social media sites like Facebook and Google+. These designs can give all of your pages a cohesive and legitimate feel to discourage doubt in the quality of your services.

Exciting Alternatives

Some of the most exciting marketing campaigns are so exciting because they work outside the box and use non-typical content and platforms to get their message across. Video content, online competitions, and fun side products can all make your company stand out from the rest. These can show that your company wants to have fun and create an enjoyable relationship with customers. Consider whether you have the time and the vision for any of these alternative options and pursue the ideas that are relevant for your company and appeal to your type of customer.

Help in Making Your Company a Success Online

At SLS Consulting, we dedicate our years of experience and insight to every client we serve. With our help, you can strengthen both your image and your online presence through search engine optimization, social media, website design, and content creation. To learn more about your company’s chances for growth and the wide variety of online marketing services that we provide, call (323) 254-1510.

]]>261Taking Full Advantage of Your Company’s Presence on Social Media Siteshttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/08/taking_full_advantage_companys_presence_social_media_sites.html
Fri, 16 Aug 2013 14:48:59 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/08/taking_full_advantage_companys_presence_social_media_sites.htmlEvery company with at least an interest in having a social media presence has put their brand online in at least one of the major social networking sites. While these businesses will not make nearly as much of an impact as those that wholeheartedly pursue a strong social media presence, even those who are trying to use just one site to its full extent may be overlooking important aspects.

These sites are meant to be easily used by any and all consumers, but also have deeper content and greater uses that are not known by everyone. If you are serious about using these sites in the social media marketing of your company, be aware of these aspects and consider their benefits.

Twitter Cards

Web pages can be programmed to display Twitter Cards when linked to on the social media site. Tweets that contain a link will provide a dropdown that contains a peek at the page, giving followers a chance to better see the sites that are linked. There are seven types of cards that display information, photos, apps, videos, and products.

Facebook Notes

While these can be informally used by people on the site, company’s can turn Facebook Notes into a type of surrogate web page or article. By creating a strong layout and using photos, these can look more professional. Additionally, Facebook ranks notes well on the newsfeed, exposing followers to more of your content.

LinkedIn Company Pages

By giving your company a definitive presence on LinkedIn, you will be able to better connect with other businesses and people in your field who are strictly looking to make professional connections. These pages will also provide information on your services and products while spreading information about your company’s goals.

YouTube Captions

YouTube allows users to write and upload their own captions for their videos, which has two unique benefits. First, by writing your own captions, you will get rid of the laughably inaccurate ones created by the site’s application. Hearing impaired users will thank you for this. Second, search engines crawl these video transcripts, which can boost your videos rankings online.

Google+ Hangouts

Because of their ability to allow multiple people to converse online at the same time, companies can use Google+ Hangouts in two different fashions. First, companies can advertise a specific time in which customers and followers can talk with members of the business and discuss various topics. This can help clients feel more connected and bring focus to various products or services. Second, businesses can use it internally to connect employees with one another when they are physically separated to create better communication within the company.

Marketing Tailored to Your Unique Goals

Implementing these elements into your online campaign can seem overwhelming, but their benefits are worth the hard work. With the help of the social media marketing team at SLS Consulting, your company can have the consistent and high quality presence online that you need for a better online presence and better client interaction. To learn more about our years of success and how we can help you, call us today at (323) 254-1510.

]]>260What is Social Media Marketing?http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/07/what_social_media_marketing.html
Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:05:26 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/07/what_social_media_marketing.htmlFor most people, the phrase “social media marketing” conjures up images of Facebook likes and retweets. However, social media marketing is about more than just how popular you are on social media sites. Anyone who tells you otherwise probably doesn’t have a background in marketing, and may set you up for failure if you don’t keep the following points in mind.

It’s All About the Likes!

Up until Summer 2012, buying Facebook likes (or Twitter followers, or YouTube views, or Google+ Circles) was a relatively common practice that supposed “social media marketers” utilized in order to justify the fees they charged. Specifically, it was often preached that social media success was measured by how high you could get your follower count, and not based on the quality of the followers you were obtaining. While there may be a sliver of truth to that belief (only in the sense that a higher follower count increases exposure to some varying degree), it was, and still is, much better to focus on building a fan base that will further serve you as brand advocates. A brand advocate will not only preach your brand’s message, but it will greatly increase the chance that others are converted to believers in your product.

So ultimately, it’s never been about the sheer number of likes you have. Instead, it’s always been about the quality of fans you obtain (and for any brand starting out, friends and family should always be the FIRST group of likes to go after).

If You’re Not Making Sales Via Social Media, You’re Doing it Wrong!

When approaching a new social media marketing campaign, it’s important to remember that sales do not equate to how many likes or shares you have, at least not directly. Social media marketing is about branding, not selling. It’s about establishing your brand as an authority in its respective field, which will enable your fans and followers to look to your brand as a trusted source of information.

For example, let’s say you like Facebook fan pages for two local gyms. One of the pages is constantly posting about signing up for a membership, while the other one is constantly posting workout tips, healthy eating recipes, and other valuable information that people looking to get into better shape might enjoy. The second page is building its brand, while the first page is not. The second is establishing itself as the go-to page about all things fitness and health -related. As a result, the second page may actually get an increase in memberships, thus indirectly increasing sales via social media. However, even without these additional sales, the value of building its brand image on the Internet as a leader in the field of fitness is what, in this case, social media marketing is all about.

While you might be discouraged when you’re first starting out with a social media marketing campaign, there’s no need to worry. Establishing your brand’s credibility takes just as much time to build on the Internet as it does in real life, and social media is a great way to do so.

For more information about how social media marketing can be utilized in your current advertising campaign, don’t hesitate to contact SLS Consulting. Or, just like us on Facebook!

]]>259What are the Specs for Facebook Cover Photos and Profile Pictures?http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/07/what_specs_facebook_cover_photos_profile_pictures.html
Tue, 02 Jul 2013 11:46:12 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/07/what_specs_facebook_cover_photos_profile_pictures.htmlSince Facebook’s transition to Timeline in early 2012, the social networking giant has embraced a much more visual layout. Cover photos, one of the most prominent features of Timeline, allow individual users to add a bit of personality to their online personas. This same feature was also extended to brands and businesses, although these pages do have some restrictions that come along with them.

For starters, it’s important to realize that cover photos are public. Anyone who visits your Facebook fan page, whether that person is a fan or not, is going to be able to see your cover photo. Next, it’s important to understand the intended use of cover photos is not to promote your contact information. That is, cover photos are supposed to display an image that represents your brand. This image cannot (or isn’t supposed to) contain more than 20% text, and formerly could not display contact information of any kind (per Facebook’s current terms of use as of July 2013, there is no longer mention of cover photos not being able to feature contact information, but it’s probably good practice to avoid images that include contact information just in case the rules revert back). Furthermore, brands are not allowed to encourage fans to upload and use brand cover photos on their own individual timelines.
At minimum, Facebook cover photos must be at least 399 pixels in width. Ideally though, specs for Facebook fan pages should measure 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels tall. Per Facebook, it is recommended that images are less than 100 kilobytes in file size in order to accommodate fastest load times, although it is also recommended that images in need of higher quality resolutions (such as logos and text) be saved as PNG files to preserve integrity.

From a marketing standpoint, cover photos allow brands to highlight their products, some aspect of their work, or can even offer a glimpse into the inner workings of the company. Cover photos can allow a brand to humanize itself, can play to the interests of its fans, or can even just be an interesting image that people will enjoy looking at. Regardless of which approach your brand or business takes, be sure to follow the rules to avoid potential page suspension or deletion. In particular, Facebook’s terms of use always seem to be changing, so regularly referring back to terms of use can help fan page administrators stay on top of new changes.

If you have questions about Facebook cover photos, the Facebook terms of use is the best resource for pertinent information. However, for more detailed information about marketing strategy and how Facebook can be incorporated into your brand’s advertising efforts, feel free to contact the Internet marketing team at SLS Consulting.

]]>2585 Things that Have Changed Internet Marketing & Website Developmenthttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/5_things_changed_internet_marketing_website_development.html
Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:21 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/5_things_changed_internet_marketing_website_development.htmlThe constant factor in the relationship between Internet marketing and website development is Change.

Whether you work in the field of online marketing or run a business, the evolution of content, SEO, web design, social, and local listings significantly impacts how a website is structured and how it targets visitors for conversion.

Since listing all of the changes that have occurred since the Internet’s inception would take until Thanksgiving, the below blog focuses on the main evolutionary changes that we’ve seen at SLS Consulting.

1. Write for Your Audience First – In the past, content was more about keyword stuffing, linking, and organization that appealed to the search engines for higher rankings. These tactics just don’t work anymore, or at least, they don’t last for long. Whether you’re creating content for your blog or website, putting writing for your audience before writing for the search engines is more effective for increasing visitors, lowering bounce rates, getting favorable search placement, and converting visitors into clients.

2. Quality Links Over Quantity – The amount of links you have isn’t always as important as the quality of those links. Linking quality is affected by the variety of phrases being linked and where the links are going. Search engine optimization is no longer about “how much,” but more about substance and tact. The change in SEO may be more time consuming, but with the waves of recent algorithm updates, it’s worth it for your website’s success to change how you optimize your site, blog, and on other platforms.

3. Simple & Responsive Design – Making a website easy to navigate and respond to the type of device being used has shaped how website designers cater to the needs of both the target audience, search engines, and the client’s preferences. Because so many people are using computers, laptops, iPads, smartphones, and other devices to browse the Internet, a website now has to adjust its design intuitively in order to keep the attention of and engage a visitor.
4. Social Platforms Going Visual – From Google+ to Facebook, and Twitter to LinkedIn, the design layouts of social networking sites have evolved to be more visual. The interactive nature of visual social sites encourages more users to engage with others, share information (content, photos, videos, links, etc.), and spend more time on the site. With social taking on a visual appeal, there is more for a user to do.

5. Consistency on Local Goes a Long Way – Consistency in listing information among all of your profiles has more of an influence than before. If your information isn’t consistent across various local listing sites, search engines and other sites may pick you up as a separate entity and create a listing for you. To avoid this headache, have all of your information consistent. Getting a constant flow of legitimate reviews from real people also plays a much bigger role in search results than they used to.

What Does This Tell Us?

In a nutshell, the evolution of the Internet and site development seem to be mainly geared towards making using the Internet and a website easier for those of us searching for information that we need. The changes in content, SEO, web design, social, and local listings over the recent years have all been made mostly to improve the user’s experience.

Because technology and the Internet are changing on a daily basis, it’s beneficial to take a timeout from the daily grind of marketing and website development to see what’s affecting what you do. At SLS Consulting, we are proud to provide our clients with custom website design and marketing plans for gaining a strong web presence. By staying on top of the latest advancements online, our marketing team applies innovate strategies to help our clients get to the top of search. For a free growth assessment, please call us today at (323) 254-1510.

]]>257Even Google+ Needs a Redesignhttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/even_google_needs_redesign.html
Thu, 16 May 2013 09:07:34 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/even_google_needs_redesign.htmlIf you’re in the Internet marketing business or run your own company’s online campaign, you’ve probably heard about the 6th annual Google I/O conference in San Francisco that began yesterday and will last until May 17. Mainly targeted for software programmers, the developer conference has raised eyebrows and drawn the attention of many. One of the biggest highlights so far is the Google+ redesign.

If you’ve ever felt like a website redesign wasn’t worth your time or money, think again. If Google launches a redesign of its social platform, it shows us that there is always room for improvement.

To Redesign or Not to Redesign …

Coming from the company that mostly calls the shots as far as search engine results go, changing the look, features, and navigation of Google+ is a huge move. On that note, don’t jump into a redesign of your own website without giving it a lot of thought first. According to Mashable, 190 million users participate in the Google+ stream. That’s a lot of people to satisfy. Even if your audience isn’t that vast, one of the main things to focus on in a redesign, as shown by the below points, is improving the user experience.

The Google+ facelift is likely to plant a different image in people’s minds when they hear the phrase “social network,” maybe even replacing the brain’s automatic response to Facebook. The redesign is meant to keep up to speed with, and possibly even surpass, competitors like Facebook and Pinterest, or at least encourage Internet users to jump onto Google+ as well or more often.

Some Pluses to the New Google+

Easy to Scan – With a multi-column arrangement, the redesigned Google+ puts photos in the middle that encompass the full width of a page’s stream so that users can scan the site easier. With one, two, or three columns, what you see will be affected by screen size and whether you’re using a mobile device, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

“Searches” for You – With the addition of related hashtags to a Google+ stream, the platform will automatically tag a photo or post for you with a hashtag so that you don’t have to. With an individual hashtag for a post comes the option to flip a post and view related hashtags to that post. If you don’t like the program’s self-awareness, you can turn the feature off. Google’s goal seems to be to categorize and rank pertinent conversations throughout its platform so that a user can easily skim related content without having to enter in his or her own inquiry.

Time Saver – To Google, taking and sharing photos should be a quick process. Auto Backup is a new feature that saves mobile photos without a user having to indicate such action. Auto Awesome is bound to be a favorite not just for its name but for its ability to animate photos automatically after a sequence of pictures are uploaded. Auto Awesome can also track down the photo with the best shot or piece together multiple pictures into one. Auto Highlight helps a user find the best photos by going through the albums by itself and Auto Enhance gives pictures final touches for optimal quality.

Ready for Change?

It will be interesting to see how the Google+ redesign influences brand development and the overall popularity of the social network. This is a giant leap for Google in combining search with social, a move that seems like one that only a leading search engine can make. Being more image-driven and intuitive for search, Google+ might just make our lives easier. But is that what we want? When time and convenience is of concern, the answer is yes.

]]>256Hit by a Google Panda Update and Don’t Know Why? The Answer Might be in Your Contenthttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/hit_google_panda_update_dont_know_why_answer_content.html
Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:41 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/hit_google_panda_update_dont_know_why_answer_content.htmlContrary to what you might think, Google’s ultimate goal isn’t to sabotage your website’s search engine rankings. What makes Google the powerhouse that it is rests in its desire for webmasters to create the best user experience possible. All of the recent and up-and-coming algorithm updates are structured with this objective in mind.

You have to remember that Google provides a service to the public. Whatever terms we enter into search, we expect to quickly and easily find the information that fits without having to do a lot of sifting through irrelevant or poorly written material.

While there are more components involved in a website having low search engine rankings than we can address in this one post, focusing on content provides us with a good starting point.

Putting the Microscope on “Quality”

Google looks down upon a wide range of short-cuts to get high search engine rankings. If your website contains a lot of duplicate content, for instance, it’s highly likely that this is why your site tanked after a Panda update. Some additional practices to avoid range from hiding links to keyword stuffing. Two of the biggest questions to consider that Google mentions on its quality guidelines for content are as follows:

“Does this help my users? Would I do this if search engines didn’t exist?”

Because Panda penalizes sites with content that is found on multiple pages within a site or on pages from other sites, this means that you have to write your own content and make it original. If you’re asking yourself who has the time to do that, then you’re not alone. Content creation does take time and it’s not just about the actual writing. You have to evaluate who your target audience is and understand what information they need the most. A solid grip on search engine optimization (SEO) also plays a role because you need to know what keywords are pertinent to your users and what links to include. However, Panda also crushes over-optimized content, so you can’t simply write your content only with keywords and the search engines in mind.

How to Use Your Time Wisely

There are endless strategies for producing quality content within a short amount of time, but overall, you can’t rush it. If you can’t make the time to do your own writing, finding a good copywriter to work for you is the best course of action. This can be quite a process, but it’s worth it in the end.

One approach to creating quality content that interests your audience and doesn’t take hours upon end is referred to by Bruce Clay as content curation. This refers to producing content that contains original analysis and unique opinions that is based on information provided by an outside source. It can help to find inspiration from other blog posts, but your own ideas have to be present. Mr. Clay points out that curated content can help someone publish material more often because they can summarize and add their own twist.

To help you save time and continue to consistently produce relevant content, it’s helpful to re-purpose content that you yourself already have. Again, don’t copy yourself! You must avoid duplicate content at all costs. If you refer to your own website, press releases, or blogs, are there some themes or topics that you could expand on even more? You already have the information, you just need to dig deeper and branch off to cover other issues that you think your readers would be interested in.

Get Back on the Saddle

Even if your site’s hit has been difficult, don’t get discouraged and definitely don’t panic. There may be a lot of cleaning up to do, even beyond your actual content, but it’s possible to have high search engine rankings again. All in all, creating engaging content on a regular basis is good for SEO and might be a piece of the remedy for your site if you’ve been hit by Panda.

]]>2556 Tips on How to Blog When There’s No Timehttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/6_tips_how_blog_when_no_time.html
Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:25 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/6_tips_how_blog_when_no_time.htmlWhether you’re a lawyer, mom, or SEO, or all of the above!, we all face the same problem – we have no time. Or at least, this is how most of us see it.

If you love doing something, shouldn’t you make the time for it? I know, easier said than done.
What about blogging? If you love to write, writer’s block still happens, and you may not have the time to sit at your computer for hours on end waiting for the words to come. If you hate to write, blogging can be that much harder. However, not being a writer or hating to write are not excuses for neglecting to blog if you run a business. If you’re not a writer and don’t want to blog, you may want to find someone who can write for you. Just be sure that they capture your message clearly.

So, whether you’re mostly lacking minutes or motivation, here are some tips on how to blog when there’s “no time.”

1. Don’t Make it a Chore – It’s important to write about a topic that interests you and it’s even better if it’s something you’re passionate about. Don’t think of blogging as “work” otherwise it may seem like a chore and you might be less motivated or excited to do it. If you blog with your message and target audience in mind, the topics will seem endless.

2. Don’t Always Wait for the Right Time – Write down ideas as soon as you have them. It doesn’t matter if you’re cooking or in the shower – waterproof notepads, anyone? Even if you don’t think you’ll have time to actually write about the topic, you can always come back to your notes later. Jotting down some ideas or having someone else do it for you the moment that they arise will help you remember them and can open up even more ideas.

3. Work it Into Your Routine – If the “I don’t have time” mentality has taken over any blogging desires, try working it into your daily routine and see what happens. You make time to do a number of other things, so why should blogging be any different, especially if it will help your business establish authority and build an online community?

4. Use a Calendar! – Most people fight this one but just about every electronic device has one and it makes a world of difference to use one. A giant desk calendar that you can write on might work better for you – just try out a few methods and see what you prefer. Write down or enter the times that you will write. It might also be helpful to use a timer. Start writing for 10 minutes a day and slowly work your way up to 1 hour. Everyone can write for at least 10 minutes a day. Once you start, you might not want to stop.

5. Outsmart Your Distractions – We are all aware of the social activities or forms of entertainment that can take us away from blogging or any other task that needs to be done. Try a few different environments and approaches to help you spend less time browsing your Facebook news feed or messaging friends on Gmail. Whether you have to turn off your wireless AirPort while you write or go to the library, you almost have to train yourself to be immune to distractions.

6. Just Write! – Some bloggers prefer to have an outline and this can be very helpful, but sometimes, you just have to get down to it. Begin with one detail and let it expand. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, syntax, or organization. Get your ideas down and if you get caught on one specific area, it’s okay to skip it and come back. Once you have something down, then you can go back and review to make any edits or add in new information if different material pops into your head.

Take Control of Your Blog & Online Success

If there’s one thing to take away from this post, it’s that you control whether or not you have time to blog. If it’s not important to you, then you won’t do it. If it’s important to you and you’re struggling, there is a solution – there are many, in fact; you just have to find the right one for you.

At SLS Consulting, our legal marketing specialists have been assisting law firms throughout the country with content management ranging from blogs to press releases. We’ve learned the importance of prioritizing our time so that our clients get the most out of our work for them. If you have any questions about blogging for attorneys, please call us at (323) 254-1510.

]]>254Creativity and Online Content for Marketing, Not as Different as You Thinkhttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/creativity_online_content_marketing_not_different_think.html
Thu, 09 May 2013 13:04:00 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/05/creativity_online_content_marketing_not_different_think.htmlFor many, the process of continually writing online content for a marketing campaign can be a draining task. While creating new content that has not been on a site before, or hopefully on any other site, is vital, a writer may feel like he or she is running out of topics or creative juices. If this is happening to you, do not be afraid, you are not alone.

However, do not let yourself simply accept the idea of running out of creativity or topics. This will lead to monotony, which in turn leads to bad writing, which can negatively impact the strength of a marketing campaign. But what can you do to get yourself out of this hole or prevent yourself from getting into it in the first place?

While there are no steadfast guidelines (this can kill creativity), there are some actions that you can take to improve your drive and the overall quality of your future work.

Think of Your Passions

There is a reason for why you have gotten yourself into the position of content writer. While these can vary widely from person to person, there are often unique passions that have led you to this point. Reflect on them and consider how you can feed into them with the work you are currently doing.

Look at Your Inspirations

Who or what inspires you to think and act more creatively? If it is a writer or artist, study his or her work and consider what it sparks within your mind. How are you going to be great if you do not study greatness? Remember, great works are not meant to be simply admired, but to be emulated. Strive toward making your content into something that will inspire others. This cycle of creativity can also be a consistent example for you in future work.

Examine Your Past Mistakes

You’ve made mistakes in your past work. Admit it. But what were they? Consider errors in grammar, syntax, style, and focus. Additionally, consider what mistakes you have made in choosing topics or language when it comes to writing for your audience. Now, what led you to make those choices? Were you in a rush? Distracted? Simply unaware of what was incorrect? Do not just review these errors, remember them in whatever way helps these lessons stick with you and have them inform what you are doing now.

Actively Think About the Creative Process

What is creativity and how have you been fulfilled in being creative previously? Great creativity combines both abstract thought and the insight that has come from experience. Find a balance between those two as you work toward clear goals.

Consider Your Audience’s Taste

Remember that, as a marketer, you are writing for an audience. While many other forms of creative writing are simply for an audience of one or none, your work can impact thousands or millions of people. Look back over what has been a success or failure and think about what your audience wants. This can be a destination for the winding path that is creativity.

Focus on the Positives

The constraints of a job and the monotony that may come with a work schedule can be seen as a burden over time to many. However, remember that in the vast, vast majority of work, these two factors are consistently present. Rather, focus on the positive aspects of your career. Are you helping others? Are you gaining new skills or deepening pre-existing ones? Set goals for yourself to reach and create a positive and enjoyable environment for yourself. Whether you realize it or not, this will show up in your writing.

Incorporate New Techniques

Consistently writing content can make many fall into a writing rut. When under a deadline, many will fall back on tried and true methods for getting the job done. However, these often result in a product that is “good enough,” but not great! Think of techniques that you have not used yet, or find new methods that can add variety to your writing. Importantly, carve out time for yourself to step back from your work and consider your writing and the ways you can improve it.

Quality Content = Quality Marketing

At SLS Consulting, we work toward creating content that not only works toward better search engine results, but is of a high quality. In today’s world of search engine optimization, great content is more important than ever. We provide ever client we serve with great written content, design, SEO work, and social media that is informed by years of experience. To learn more about how we can help you, get in touch with us by calling (323) 254-1510.

]]>253Link Building: The Common Denominator of SEOhttp://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/04/link_building_common_denominator_seo.html
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:33:25 +0000http://www.legalinternetmarketingblog.com/2013/04/link_building_common_denominator_seo.htmlLinks seem to be the one thing that everyone wants to get their hands on. There are many misconceptions surrounding link building methods, so how do you know which way is best?

No matter what tactics you’ve heard, relevant content is necessary to keep the common denominator of SEO alive. You also have to network and do your research. All of these factors cannot be rushed or fabricated. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…but it’s actually good news!

Patience is a Virtue, Blah Blah Blah

The crackdown on spam-like linking and poor quality SEO can actually help your site rank better by sifting out sites that only contain paid links and irrelevant content. Even if your site has been hit by recent algorithm updates, you can work your way back up in the search engines by paying more attention to link diversity, where your links are going, and who is linking back to you.

There is no shortcut to this.

For a law firm, building links should be a gradual, natural process. Any industry wants to see results fast, but attorney website link development – that is effective and lasts – can’t happen overnight. You have to take the time to look at each link and if you don’t have the time, then find a SEO consultant that has a solid track record and is trustworthy.

You’re Not the Only One Who’s Picky

When it comes to developing links, you don’t want just any website to link back to your site. You want the best of the best to link back to you. Have you seen any great legal blogs lately? Is there a lawyer website out there that you’ve actually learned something from by reading? It may not be easy to receive constructive criticism from yourself, or anyone else for that matter, but how can you make your blog or website something that other lawyers and Internet users want to share and link back to on their sites and other platforms?

Don’t oversell. Provide information in a clear, concise way that your target audience would actually find helpful and interesting. Don’t create content for the sake of having content. Readers and search bots see right through this.

Take a Closer Look

If you feel stuck in your link building plan, it helps to take a step back and do things little by little. Use the resources you have and find new ones. Get creative but don’t venture into the black hat SEO zone for fear of your site getting penalized by Google. Look at the big picture. What effects links? Just about almost everything, BUT content is an excellent place to start in your evaluation process of what to rewrite, toss, and replace. You should be proud to share what you’ve written and others will recognize that it’s above par.

Next time you find a website or blog that you really like, ask yourself, “Why?” What do people say about your website and blog? If you don’t know, it’s time to find out. It might be easier to start off with close family and friends. See what areas you can improve, and then start fixing them. Working with your Internet marketing team on this can make a world of difference. If your marketing team knows that you care, they’ll care even more than they already do – the same thing goes for your target audience.